The Georgian Dream party has introduced a draft law proposing state compensation for members of the Central Election Commission (CEC).
The bill, registered in parliament on Tuesday, outlines a plan to grant CEC members “state compensation” equivalent to one-third of their salaries. This follows a recent salary increase for CEC officials implemented on December 30, 2024.
According to the revised salary structure the Chairman of the CEC, earning 12,410 GEL monthly, will receive an additional 4,137 GEL in compensation.
Regular commission members, earning 9,928 GEL, will receive 3,309 GEL.
The draft law claims to ensure “appropriate social security guarantees” for the CEC chairman and members, citing their “high state status and functions.” The proposal was submitted by Georgian Dream and People’s Power lawmakers, including Givi Mikanadze, Archil Gorduladze, and Aleksandre Tabatadze.
Under the proposed legislation, the following categories would qualify for compensation:
Individuals aged 65 and older with at least five years of continuous CEC service.
Those with 25 years of continuous CEC service, provided they have
worked at least five years consecutively.
Compensation will not be granted to individuals found guilty of violating Georgian electoral laws. Payments will commence 30 days after the law’s enactment.
In a controversial addition, the draft law also seeks to grant CEC members the right to carry firearms, a privilege currently reserved for certain government officials, law enforcement personnel, and judges under Georgian law.
The draft law emerges against the backdrop of a disputed parliament whose legitimacy is contested by opposition parties, civil society groups, and fifth President Salome Zourabichvili. International observers have also expressed concerns about the democratic processes in Georgia.
Since October 26, 2024, Georgian Dream has passed a series of contentious laws, including measures to significantly curtail protest rights. During the same period, parliamentarians approved a 2.5-fold salary increase for themselves, further fueling public outrage.
Protests demanding new elections continue to sweep Tbilisi and other cities, with opposition leaders and activists accusing Georgian Dream of consolidating power at the expense of democratic principles.
The draft law has also highlighted the stark disparity in state benefits, as pensions for ordinary citizens remain low. Starting January 1, 2025, pensions are set at 350 GEL for individuals under 70 and 450 GEL for those over 70—figures that activists argue pale in comparison to the benefits proposed for CEC members.
